3 Steps To A Great 4th of July

We the people of Black Lapel, believe the 4th of July should be spent the American way: partying. Only problem is, the three day weekend is just around the corner. It’s crunch time.

With the holiday falling on a Saturday this year, the three day weekend can easily sneak up on you. Never fear, you can still make this your best 4th of July ever with this procrastinator’s guide to 4th of July planning.

Okay, so you’re up against it. But so was old George Washington, and he managed to beat the world’s biggest, baddest military with a ragtag bunch of gun-toting farmers. The point? Anything is possible this weekend. All you need to do for a stellar 4th of July weekend are the three things:
eat, drink, and be American.

Eat

Beef Up Your Grilling Skills

You have to fire up the grill on 4th of July weekend, it’s like a mandatory American ritual for the holiday. Plus, burgers are an easy and satisfying meal at any gathering. In case you’re worried that your grilling skills (or actual grill) are a little rusty, you can’t go wrong with “Thick and Juicy, Home-Ground Grilled Cheeseburgers.”The dudes behind The Burger Lab at Serious Eats don’t mess around, so if you’re looking for a recipe that says ‘Merica a little more, why not try “The ultimate bacon cheeseburger with beef cooked in bacon fat, a bacon fat mayonnaise, onions caramelized in bacon fat, buns toasted in bacon fat, and a crisp bacon weave topping.” Dig in fellas.

Drink

Down Some American Brew

No, we aren’t talking about the Pinterest board that your excitable young coworker shared in an email thread to the whole office of full of red, white, and blue cocktails. We’re talking American brewed beer. Like Stone Brewing Co., based out of California.

Food Republic tells us that “beer is a hamburger’s best friend. It adds layers of flavor and ably cuts through the burger’s rich, finger-coating juices, cleansing your palate and urging you to take another bite, then another cool sip.” This Stone Pale Ale 2.0 is up for that challenge.

The United States of Style

You can’t go through 4th of July weekend without singing the National Panthem. No, that isn’t a typo. Our friends at Bonobos have the perfect idea for those of you who are feeling extra festive this 4th of July. Behold, the National Panthems.

Be ‘Merrycan

Just Add Music

If you have burgers & beers, you’re two-thirds of the way to throwing an awesome party for the 4th. With that said, let music set the tone for your finishing touch. From patriotic music to sexy pool party playlists, “24 Different Collections for Independence Day Celebration” this collection of playlists from Huffington Post will be the cherry on top of your ice cream sundae. Our favorite? The The Cookout: Summer Rap Hits playlist. From the second the first beat kicks in you’ve got a party on your hands.

Simple, right? These 3 ingredients are all you
need to get the most out of a three day weekend.